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AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A VETERANS COMMISSION AND AMENDING THE COMMERCE CITY REVISED MUNICIPAL CODE RELATIVE TO SUCH COMMISSION
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Summary and Background Information:
Council requested staff to examine the creation of a veterans’ commission. This request came on December 20, 2019. This commission would serve to advocate for veterans and veterans’ issues within the community, foster greater understanding of the role of veterans in the community, increase community engagement by veterans, and connect veterans to available services, programs, and resources. Staff has prepared an ordinance creating the commission and delineating its powers and structure. Based on the importance of veterans to the community, the success of other commissions - youth and senior - in advocating for and serving their valuable communities, and viability of this commission, staff recommends approving the ordinance.
Veterans make a significant contribution to Commerce City. Our veteran population strengthens us economically and socially, and approximately 6% of the Adams County population is veterans. Veterans are an important part of our economy and workforce. Nearly 20% of all veteran-owned businesses in the country are located in Colorado, and on average veterans earn 38% more than the median income. Issues that are important to them are important to everyone. Additionally, veterans strengthen our community. They are men and women who have served their country, and we should provide them with the resources and advocacy they need. Veterans are links to the past and visions of the future.
Similar commissions have proven successful. Commerce City has established both a youth and a senior commission. Both of these commissions have established track records of success in providing advocacy and resources for their respective populations. The City of Commerce City Youth Master Plan is an important policy document that helps provide council with areas of focus and action to secure a better future for our youth. Similarly, the senior commission provides many resources for seniors in the community, and helps them connect with other resources offered by third parties. A new commission for veterans modeled on these commissions will likewise be successful.
Approving this ordinance will greatly benefit the veteran community in Commerce City. Generating more public awareness of veterans and veterans’ issues will provide support to the veterans’ community beyond the resources the commission can facilitate and the advocacy it can provide. This commission can provide significant benefits with no immediately foreseeable downside.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Troy Smith, Deputy City Manager
Staff Member Presenting: Troy Smith, Deputy City Manager
Financial Impact: At this time staff anticipates soft costs, associated with an assigned staff liaison. Future budget request may occur.
Funding Source: General Fund
Staff Recommendation: Approve ordinance
Suggested Motion: Approve ordinance